NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
510 reportsMileage unknown · Dec 25, 2011
Electrical System
MY NEEDLES AND CONTROLS FAIL ON MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AWD. I HAVE HAD THE CLUSTER REPLACED TWICE (OUT OF POCKET) WHEN IT FAILS, MY REVERSE LIGHTS COME ON, TURN SIGNALS FAIL AND SOMETIMES MY RADIO FAILS (NOT REALLY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IS ANNOYING) MY AIRBAGS ARE DEACTIVE WHEN THE EVENT OCCURS. I KNOW FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE…
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MY NEEDLES AND CONTROLS FAIL ON MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AWD. I HAVE HAD THE CLUSTER REPLACED TWICE (OUT OF POCKET) WHEN IT FAILS, MY REVERSE LIGHTS COME ON, TURN SIGNALS FAIL AND SOMETIMES MY RADIO FAILS (NOT REALLY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IS ANNOYING) MY AIRBAGS ARE DEACTIVE WHEN THE EVENT OCCURS. I KNOW FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE AND SHOULD DO A RECALL AS I HAVE NOTICED (MORE THAN I SHOULD FOR THERE NOT TO BE A RECALL) ALOT OF OTHER FIVE HUNDRED/MONTEIGO DRIVERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10441187
155,000 miles · Dec 23, 2011
Power Train
NOT LONG AFTER PURCHASING MY VEHICLE MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF SAFELY ONTO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND ONCE RESTARTED WAS FINE. WE HAVE SINCE STOPPED USING CRUISE CONTROL IN FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM I…
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NOT LONG AFTER PURCHASING MY VEHICLE MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF SAFELY ONTO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND ONCE RESTARTED WAS FINE. WE HAVE SINCE STOPPED USING CRUISE CONTROL IN FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE AND SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. THE DASH WILL LIGHT CHECK TRANSMISSION, TRACTION CONTROL AND SOMETIMES CHECK ENGINE. ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON IT IS FINE FOR A WHILE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TAKES SOME TIME TO GO OFF. IT IS GETTING SO WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, SOMETIMES IT DRIVES FINE AND OTHERS THE TRANSMISSION QUITS. THE OTHER DAY I WENT TO PASS A CAR AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON AS I HAD MOVED INTO THE LANE TO PASS ON THE INTERSTATE. ONCE I WAS IN MY LANE AGAIN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT DOES IT AGAIN AND THIS TIME A BIG MAC TRUCK IS COMING UP ON ME. I HAVE READ OF SEVERAL PROBLEMS OF THIS WITH THIS SAME CAR AND IT HAS BEEN SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY AND/OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND FORD SHOULD BE ISSUING A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10441135
71,599 miles · Dec 20, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
CARS ENTERS INTO FAILSAFE MODE AND ENGINE CUTS OUT. I HAVE BEEN ALMOST REAR- ENDED THREE TIMES SINCE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND ONE TIME ALMOST T-BONED. SLUGGISH ACCELERATION WHEN TAKING OFF MAY OCCUR ALSO. I HAVE NOTICED THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND THE FAULTY THROTTLE BODY HAS SINCE BEEN REDESIGNED BY FORD. THE…
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CARS ENTERS INTO FAILSAFE MODE AND ENGINE CUTS OUT. I HAVE BEEN ALMOST REAR- ENDED THREE TIMES SINCE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND ONE TIME ALMOST T-BONED. SLUGGISH ACCELERATION WHEN TAKING OFF MAY OCCUR ALSO. I HAVE NOTICED THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND THE FAULTY THROTTLE BODY HAS SINCE BEEN REDESIGNED BY FORD. THEY SHOULD RECALL THIS AS IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I KNOW THAT I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS FAULTY PART, BUT I AM SURE SOME HAVE NOT BEEN SO LUCKY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440631
50,000 miles · Dec 12, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT FAILED AND ALL OF THE GAUGES WERE INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR BACK UP SENSORS WERE BUZZING HAPHAZARDLY. THE CONTACT CHECKED ALL OF THE FUSES AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT FAILED AND ALL OF THE GAUGES WERE INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR BACK UP SENSORS WERE BUZZING HAPHAZARDLY. THE CONTACT CHECKED ALL OF THE FUSES AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 1/27/12 *CN UPDATED 02/01/12
NHTSA ODI #10439368
70,000 miles · Dec 9, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HARNESS FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT MELTED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY EXCESS MOISTURE, BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BECAME BRITTLE AND FRACTURED. THE DEALER A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HARNESS FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT MELTED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY EXCESS MOISTURE, BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BECAME BRITTLE AND FRACTURED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT HAD WORN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THESE WERE MANUFACTURERS DEFECTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,700.
NHTSA ODI #10439179
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
SIMILAR ISSUE AS IN PE07058. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILS FOR EXTENDED PERIODS. IN THIS TIME I HAVE NO INSTRUMENTATION AVAILABLE, SPEED, RPM, FUEL, ETC. MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, INCLUDING AIRBAG. ALL INTERIOR LIGHTING DIMS SIGNIFICANTLY. REVERSE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE EVEN WHILE IN PARK, OR DRIVING FORWARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10436854
81,000 miles · Nov 19, 2011
Power Train
2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL 3.0L V6 AUTOMATIC 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION ACCELERATING ON INTERSTATE CAR SEVERELY HARD SHIFTED AND THEN RPMS FLARED LET OFF GAS AND CAR SLAMMED INTO A LOWER GEAR NOW CAR HARD SHIFTS IN DOWN GEARS AND RPMS GO UP CAR DOESN'T MOVE SOMETIMES WHILE ACCELERATING VERY SPORADIC AND DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10436474
75,685 miles · Nov 13, 2011
Electrical System
THE THROTTLE BODY IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE SYMPTOMS ARE VERY DANGEROUS: THE CAR GOES INTO FAIL SAFE MODE AND CANNOT ACCELERATE. ON ONE OCCASION THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD; FORTUNATELY IT WAS A QUIET STREET AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A BUSY STREET IT…
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THE THROTTLE BODY IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE SYMPTOMS ARE VERY DANGEROUS: THE CAR GOES INTO FAIL SAFE MODE AND CANNOT ACCELERATE. ON ONE OCCASION THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD; FORTUNATELY IT WAS A QUIET STREET AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A BUSY STREET IT COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY OR DEATH. SEVERAL MECHANICS DID DIFFERENT KINDS OF REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEM KEPT RECURRING. WE ARE NOW GETTING THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AND HOPE THIS IS THE FINAL REPAIR THAT REMOVES THE PROBLEM. NUMEROUS OTHER FORD FIVE HUNDRED OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS (PER INTERNET RESEARCH). FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THE FIVE HUNDRED AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY TO PREVENT INJURY OR DEATH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10435414
59,090 miles · Nov 3, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE MILES DRIVEN OR ANY OF THE OTHER COMPONENTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DIGITAL S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE MILES DRIVEN OR ANY OF THE OTHER COMPONENTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DIGITAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT PANEL DIGITAL SYSTEM. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,090.
NHTSA ODI #10434121
59,000 miles · Oct 12, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHETHER REVERSING OR AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSED THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHETHER REVERSING OR AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSED THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10429592
Official recalls
2Oct 5, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Nov 9, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE11018 · Idle Instability
Opened May 11, 2011 · Closed Feb 7, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle (all vehicles are eligible for the program through May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.NHTSA's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in
PE07058 · Instrument Cluster Failure
Opened Nov 16, 2007 · Closed Mar 11, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF PROPER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OPERATION.TYPICALLY, THE PROBLEM APPEARS AS THE NEEDLE ON THE GAUGE (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL, AND/OR TEMPERATURE) SWEEPS AND RESETS INTERMITTENTLY.FORD REPORTS THE PROBLEM AS MOMENTARY POWER INTERRUPTION CAUSES THE GAUGES TO SWEEP AND THEN RECOVER TO NORMAL FUNCTION.IN AUGUST 2006, FORD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 06-17-9) TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES TO SERVICE TECHNICIANS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF THIS CONDITION.ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S RESPONSE TO THE AGENCY'S INFORMATIONREQUEST LETTER REVEALS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE REPORTS TO FORD (63%) INDICATE THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER.FORD REPORTS THAT THISLASTS FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS.ALSO FORD STATES, THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR LIGHTING WOULD NOT FAIL TO ILLUMINATE EVEN IN THE EVENT OF POWER INTERRUPTION TO THE CLUSTER BECAUSE THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE POWERED SEPARATELY AND DO NOT RELY ON ANY SIGNAL FROM THE CLUSTER.ADDITIONALLY, ODI CONTACTED COMPLAINANTS WHO AFFIRMED THE INTERMITTENT CONDITION AND THAT NONE OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY POWER INTERRUPTIONS TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.ODI LAST RECEIVED A REPORT REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN AUGUST OF 2007.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.ODI WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ISSUE AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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